# US 9,521,489 B2 · Operation using positioning information > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,521,489 B2 - Document ID: US9521489B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/150,024 - Filed: 2016-05-09 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-22 - Assignees: Sonos, Inc. - Applicants: Sonos, Inc. - Inventors: Niels Van Erven; Richard Little; Matthew Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521489B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - G06F 16/60: of audio data - G06F 16/68: Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually - H04B 1/20: for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver - H04M 1/6033: {for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets (arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08)} - H04R 5/02: Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - H04R 27/00: Public address systems (circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; {monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007}; amplifiers H03F) - G06F 16/64: Browsing; Visualisation therefor (generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638) - H04R 2227/005: Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use - H04R 2430/01: Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Operation of a playback device may be based on using position information. A position of a playback device with respect to a base is determined. The determined position is compared to a reference position. If the determined position corresponds to the reference position, operation of the playback device is allowed. If the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, operation of the playback device is limited. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: determining a position of a playback device with respect to a base; comparing the determined position to a reference position; if the determined position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein limiting operation comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein limiting operation comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position comprises determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of the base with respect to the playback device. ### Claim 8 A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method, the method comprising: determining a position of a playback device with respect to a base; comparing the determined position to a reference position; if the determined position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The computer readable medium of claim 8, the method further comprising: if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The computer readable medium of claim 9, the method further comprising: providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein limiting operation comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein limiting operation comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein determining the position comprises determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of the base with respect to the playback device. ### Claim 15 A playback device comprising: a processor; and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising: determining a position of the playback device with respect to a base; comparing the determined position to a reference position; if the determined position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The playback device of claim 15, the functions further comprising: if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The playback device of claim 16, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The playback device of claim 16, the functions further comprising: providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The playback device of claim 15, wherein limiting operation comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The playback device of claim 15, wherein limiting operation comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device.